Wendy’s unveiled a new portfolio of development options to franchisees dubbed the Smart Family of Designs with an aim to keep energy stewardship at the forefront of its designs going forward and to fit the concept into smaller footprints. The chain also plans to open more than 600 stores by 2020.
The new designs provide more access to a wider variety of real estate, the ability to customize needs for specific trade areas and to reduce the development investment for franchisees.
“We continue to look for ways to make the economics better for new development in high potential markets,” says Abigail Pringle, chief development officer for The Wendy’s Company. “Additionally, our new restaurant designs enhance our commitments to reduce energy usage across the Wendy’s system. Energy conservation makes good business sense, and it reflects the responsibility we have to be a good neighbor.”
Image courtesy of Wendy’s
This new rollout comes on the heels of Wendy’s Smart 2.0 design, released in 2017, which reduces environmental impact with a smaller footprint and features that promote energy efficiency while targeting an additional $150,000 of savings in development costs. This next generation of Wendy’s Smart designs complements the company’s commitment to reduce the amount of energy used in company owned and operated restaurants by 20 percent by 2025 as part of its participation in the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge.
The Smart design prototype features outdoor patio furniture made from recycled materials and exterior and interior LED lighting that provides better quality lighting while lowering energy use. Kitchens include Energy Star-certified equipment, including fryers and high efficiency HVAC systems with options for refrigerators and other equipment. Combined, these items cut down on restaurant energy consumption and CO2 emissions. A kiosk-centric ordering process also eliminates the need for interior menu boards.